The Immigration Reform Bill (H.R. 2202) is currently on the House floor. It
will be voted on. This bill blatantly discriminates against all immigrants by
denying legal and undocumented immigrants living with HIV and AIDS access to
treatment.

Call your Representatives immediately and tell them to:

"Vote against discrimination; vote YES on the motion to recommit and vote NO on
final passage of H.R. 2202."

HOUSE SWITCHBOARD: (202) 225-3121

Advertisement

*** California residents should note that your Senator DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D-CA),
was a member of the conference committee and voted yes on the final conference
report language H.R. 2202. She has announced her intention to vote for "cloture"
which will help move this bill quickly to the Senate for a final vote. She
should be reminded of the many lives that will be adversely impacted in her
state if this bill becomes law.

Denounce HIV Discrimination!!
Oppose The Immigration Reform Bill

Tomorrow, September 24, the House will vote on the Immigration Reform bill, H.R.
2202. The conference report contains provisions that would eliminate all
publicly funded HIV treatment services for legal immigrants and undocumented
individuals. These provisions were not included in either of the House or
Senate passed immigration reform measures, but added during conference.
Conferees were denied an opportunity to offer an amendment to strike these
provisions.

On behalf of the 1400 community organizations and people living with HIV/AIDS
across the nation represented by AIDS Action, WE URGE YOU TO VOTE YES TO
RECOMMIT THE CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2202 AND VOTE NO ON FINAL PASSAGE.

The recently signed welfare reform law already dramatically restricts the health
care access available for all immigrants and undocumented persons. The
conference report on the Immigration Reform Bill goes even further by explicitly
denying medical care for legal immigrants and undocumented persons who test
positive for HIV. While they may still access testing and treatment for all
other communicable diseases, in the case of HIV/AIDS they only have access to
HIV testing and not HIV treatment. If they test positive for any other
communicable disease they will have access to treatment for those diseases; if
they test positive for HIV, on the other hand, they will be barred from
accessing necessary medical care for HIV/AIDS.

Current federal immigration law already prohibits individuals who test positive
for the HIV virus from immigrating to the United States. Therefore, the
provisions barring individuals from receiving treatment for HIV or AIDS will
only affect those immigrants who contract the virus while in the U.S. There is
no logical public health or public policy argument for distinguishing HIV and
AIDS from all other communicable diseases. It makes no sense to allow testing
and treatment for tuberculosis or influenza while refusing it for HIV and AIDS.

The only explanation for these provisions is mean-spiritedness and blatant
discrimination. Demonstrate your opposition to HIV discrimination by voting YES
on the motion to recommit H.R. 2202 and NO on final passage of H.R. 2202.

These provisions will effectively undermine the nation's ability to control the
spread of the AIDS epidemic and to respond to the needs of HIV-infected
individuals for life-saving medical and care services
.

The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 750 3rd Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.